Dodge City

A member of a Dodge City street gang has pleaded guilty in a federal racketerring case. 24 year old Russell Worthy pleaded to one couint of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. In his plea, Worthy admitted he was a member of the Norteno street gang when he was involved in the murder of Israel Peralta in 2009 in Dodge City. Four co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Worthy is scheduled for sentencing July 29.

Dodge City will face a series of 100 degree plus days this week leading up to the Dodge City Days celebration. The festival begins July 25 and festival-goers are warned to take safety precautions to prepare for high heat. The weather forecast for Dodge City this week will see more hot summer days. Weather for Monday could reach highs near 100, on Tuesday 101 - 106, Wednesday 102-108, Thursday 95 - 105 and Friday may see 89-100 degree temperatures. There is a chance for thunder showers on both Thursday and Friday which may help cool things down.

More people banking on-line will mean fewer bank options for people in Dodge City. Bank of America will close its north-side Dodge City branch in July. Workers will move to the main Dodge City branch on Second Avenue. A spokesperson for Bank of America says its consolidating its offices in Dodge City, because fewer people are banking in person. Instead, they are using computers and cell phones to take care of simple financial transactions. "It certainly has an effect on the banking centers that we have because we are seeing more people are increasing the use of technology, whether it's on-line banking or mobile banking, that they don't utilize the full services," said Diana Wagner, Bank of America spokesperson.

Legendary comedian Bill Cosby performed in Dodge City at the United Wireless Arena Saturday night. Cosby is on a tour through the midwest. He was in Kansas City on Friday. Before his show Cosby met with people from Dodge City at a meet and greet. During this he was dubbed an honorary marshall of Dodge City. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts was also on hand for the honor.  

An Amber Alert has been cancelled for Ana Caren Hernandez. The 14-year-old Dodge City teen was last seen Friday night around ten o'clock at Memorial Stadium. An update on the state's website says the teen was found safe in Dodge City. No further details were released. Expect more on this developing story on-air, online and on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/KWCH12 ).

Dodge City police and the Ford County Sheriff's Department are investigating the armed robbery of a pizza delivery man. Larry Rodriguez tells polie that he was robbed of his wallet, cell phone, and pizza shortly before 9-pm Wednesday. The robbery happened at 805 Prospect Lot 60. Three teenage suspects were arrested nearby. They are 14, 16 and 17 years old.

History will come to some Dodge City students as part of a new program from the Boot Hill Museum. The museum is sending special traveling trunks to schools. The trunks are filled with items related to Dodge City's history and the culture of southwest Kansas. Officials with Boot Hill Museum says the trunks will allow students to learn about the culture they come from and the history of where they are growing up. "We have such a rich history and Dodge City is a nationally famous town," said Karen Pankratz, Curator and Exhibit Designer from the Boot Hill Museum.

After the third rabid skunk this year, Dodge City officials say all domestic pets must be vaccinated for rabies. Animal control was recently called to deal with a skunk that was acting strangely.  After the animal was put down, it was sent to the K-State rabies laboratory.  The skunk tested positive. Dodge City officials say it's unusual to find so many rabid skunks in just one area.  So they are want the publics help to stop the disease from spreading. If you see a skunk during the day, don't go near it and call Animal Control.

A man from Pratt dies after an accident Thursday afternoon in Dodge City. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports 35-year-old Zachary Stover was driving west on Comanche St. east of Avenue P around 12:25 when he went left of center and over-corrected. Investigators say Stover's car rolled and came to rest into a ditch on the north side of the road. Stover was taken to a Dodge City hospital where he died. Investigators say he was not wearing a seat belt.

A former Dodge City police officer claims he was wrongfully terminated, and is now suing the city of Dodge City. According to a statement from Dodge City City Manager Ken Strobel the officer was fired for "behavior unbecoming a police officer". In the statement, Strobel says the officer was already on a disciplinary probation when he made threatening statements to an ex-spouse. In the statement he says the officer told his ex-spouse "I could come there (the business) right now and solve all my problems".

Dodge City leaders say, they are starting to make an impact on the housing shortage in southwest Kansas. During a "state of the city" address this week, Dodge City leaders say a lack of affordable housing remains on the city's biggest challenges. In the past few years, Dodge City added 59 new housing units, like apartments and duplexes. Another 38 are currently under construction. "One of the things we did in an effort to accommodate the housing need was to provide some city incentives," said city manager Ken Strobel.

Soon athletes at Dodge City Community College will have a new place to play and practice. Work is underway on the college's first athletic addition in 37 years. It includes a new $1 million artificial turf training and match field. The new field will allow soccer and football players to stay and practice on campus. College officials say it will help them better recruit new student athletes. "We want to be competitive, then it's necessary to have competitive facilities, not only with the high school level, but especially with the community college level and some of the other four-year (schools)

A member of a Dodge City street gang has pleaded guilty in a federal racketerring case. 24 year old Russell Worthy pleaded to one couint of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. In his plea, Worthy admitted he was a member of the Norteno street gang when he was involved in the murder of Israel Peralta in 2009 in Dodge City. Four co-defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Worthy is scheduled for sentencing July 29.

A man who taught math at Dodge City Middle School faces 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Joshua Lesser made his first appearance in court last week. Lesser taught sixth to eighth grade math at the middle school. The judge ordered Lesser to stay away from places where children may be unsupervised, school grounds, arcades, pools, playgrounds, parks, malls or movie theaters. His bond also prohibits him from using a computer, unless he is e-mailing his attorney.

A Dodge City native is now a part of the coaching staff at the University of Kansas.  Kale Pick was recruited as a quarterback for the Jayhawks but ended up playing wide receiver. Here is the full release from the University Athletic Department: Kale Pick, a recently graduated Kansas wide receiver, has traded in his cleats for a whistle as head coach Charlie Weis announced Monday Pick is joining the Jayhawk staff as a graduate assistant for offense. In his new role Pick will work closely with the KU wide receivers and assistant coach Rob Ianello.

It may not feel like Spring this week, but Dodge City will do some Spring cleaning this weekend. Saturday is "Keep Dodge City Beautiful" clean-up day. The city is giving people an opportunity to get rid of hazardous materials like paint, pesticides, cleaners and batteries. Police will also dispose of old prescription medicines. "They will take any unwanted, outdated, no longer needed prescription medications and they will make sure they are disposed of properly," said Jane Longmeyer, spokesperson for the city of Dodge City.

More people banking on-line will mean fewer bank options for people in Dodge City. Bank of America will close its north-side Dodge City branch in July. Workers will move to the main Dodge City branch on Second Avenue. A spokesperson for Bank of America says its consolidating its offices in Dodge City, because fewer people are banking in person. Instead, they are using computers and cell phones to take care of simple financial transactions. "It certainly has an effect on the banking centers that we have because we are seeing more people are increasing the use of technology, whether it's on-line banking or mobile banking, that they don't utilize the full services," said Diana Wagner, Bank of America spokesperson.

Dodge City police have cancelled a Silver Alert for a missing elderly man. Elwood Holtfrerich was found safe in Dodge City Wednesday morning. The alert was issued earlier in the day because no one had seen the man since Tuesday morning.   Holtfrerich is 84-years-old and police say he has dementia. Holtfrerich was last seen wearing dark pants and loafers and an unknown color shirt. Police say he also wears glasses. Holtfrerich is 5'7" tall, weighs 150 pounds, has gray hair and blue eyes.

Even at 95, Glenn Mauch refuses to retire. The Dodge City resident was one of several older workers honored for their role in the Kansas work force. It's the 16th year the state has recognized workers who are 55 years old or older, and work in both the public and private sectors. The Department of Commerce gave Mauch the oldest worker award Tuesday. He details cars and drives them at a dealership in Dodge City. He said he is proud of his work ethic. "I've done something I like to do besides making a living out of something," Mauch said.

A Dodge City family sees triple with new additions to the family. Jimena, Jasmine and Jadien were born Easter Sunday at Western Plains Medical Center. They are the first triplets ever born at the hospital. The babies were born a minute apart, and weight between four and five pounds each. Click here for photos Mother Christina Escatel delivered the triplets via C-section at just 34 weeks. That is early, but doctors say there are no complications. "All my office staff was really excited and the people around here were really excited to have a pregnancy with triplets," said Dr. Samir Shaath.